Getting my Hot Chocolate Fix

by Meghann on December 27, 2010

Last night’s White Hot Chocolate from Starbucks was good, but not quite good enough to quench my hot chocolate craving. I think it had something to do with the fact that White Chocolate isn’t exactly chocolate (as so many of you pointed out in my comments last night 😉 ).

A cold day deserves a good cup of Hot Chocolate and I was determined to get a good one before this cold spell broke.

My Dad has a slight obsession with William Sonoma’s Hot Chocolate Shavings and Santa always makes sure to leave him a fresh canister in his stocking every year.

Lucky for me, Dad was willing to share. I steamed up three rich cups using skim milk and the fifteen tablespoons of chocolate shavings the directions called for.

Dad supplied the whip cream.

Now THAT’s what I call a good cup of Hot Chocolate!

As great and rich as this was, I think next time I would go a little lighter on the chocolate. The 5 tablespoons to the 1 cup of milk is just a tad too much. Maybe 3 next time instead? 🙂

I came home earlier this evening just in time to help my sister and Dad put the finishing touches on dinner. My sister had chopped and heated up some vegetables and my Dad had shredded some left over chicken and made biscuits. I made a gravy using vegetable broth, flour, and seasonings to go with the veggies. I added the chicken to the veggies, poured everything in a baking dish, topped it with the biscuits, and baked it all for 45 minutes.

Chicken and Biscuits!

I’m not sure why I don’t make this more at home. It’s not terribly hard to make and is great for cuddling up with on a couch. It’s warm. It’s comforting. And it’s delicious to boot.

My sister even turned hers into a vegetarian version by leaving out the chicken and opting for some kidney beans instead.

Derek had given my parents an Ice Cream Maker to go with their Kitchen Aide Mixer for Christmas.

I thought it was a great gift because my Dad loves his kitchen aide mixer and is always on the hunt for new gadgets to go with it, however, the simple task of making one bowl of ice cream kept getting delayed due to the fact that each step required so many hours of time to complete. Who knew making ice cream was such a time consuming process?

15 hours to freeze the bowl?

8 hours to chill the mix?

4 – 6 hrs to finish everything off?

I believe a few “Isn’t it easier just to buy a $5 container from Publix?” escaped a few people’s lips.

Still, we held our ground and were determined to make some ice cream. Sure, we fudged a few numbers, but who follows directions that closely anyways?

Ok, so we ended up with more of a ice cream ‘soup’ than actual ice cream, but it was good and I believe that’s what really counts anyways. 😉

Mmmm….. vanilla soup with oreos

You won this round ice cream maker, but I’ll come prepare (with a few more hours) next time. 😉

We’re watching Wall Street II Money Never Sleeps. I never saw the first one, but I’m digging this one. I may be the only person out there who will admit that I’m a Shia Labouf fan. I think It’s because he looks like my brother. They have the same mannerisms and facial expressions. It’s kind of spooky actually.

I LOVE my ice cream maker! I use it all the time in the Summer. You definitely need a cold base(about 2 hours of chilling) and then to let it sit in the freezer afterward for 2-4 hours to freeze fully. But it’s worth it!

I can not believe you have an ice cream maker!!! SO jealous over here!! If I had FroYo maker I’d just open my mouth under then machine and skip the bowl 🙂BIOCHEMISTA recently posted..Sure you can cook me an lavish dinner

That also happened to me the first time I used my ice cream bowl attachment. BUT after that it never happpened again. Interesting huh? I only chill the bowl, not the mix too. The first time I did it by the book and mine was like yours.

My KA ice cream maker also makes ice cream soup. Actually I call it semi melted frosty from wendys, anyway, overnight in the freezer and tomorrow you should have perfect ice cream. I think I should make some soon. Just need to remember to toss it into the freezer beforebeforehand.

My parents have an ice cream maker, but it’s such a pain to lug it out! It’s really old. Maybe it will get some use in the summer 🙂Kate (What Kate is Cooking) recently posted..‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

When you actually follow the ice cream maker directions, and find a good custard-base ice cream, you will never be excited over store bought ice cream again. The ice cream maker is the most used (and loved) appliance in our house.Taysa recently posted..Mind Games

I love home made ice cream. I have a dedicated ice cream maker the Philips Delizer. It makes the most amazing ice cream. You do have to plan well ahead though and freeze the bowl overnight or preferably over a few nights. I just keep mine permanently in a plastic bag in the freezer. I make a decent mango sorbet too just put a can of mango puree in the frozen bowl and let the machine churn a tasty sorbet. My friend’s favourite is my Turkish Delight icecream with rose oil and chunks of TD.Billie recently posted..Phew…

I didn’t even know there was a Kitchen Aid ice cream attachment!! I have one of those mixers but I rarely use it because it’s such a hassle to clean…I’m lazy 🙂Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine recently posted..Christmas Day

I have this same ice cream maker, and I got the same result as you did the first time I made it. If your father ever figures out a good recipe that works for him, I hope you’ll share it here- would love to dig mine out this summer. yum